Christmas tree lighting mechanism



Oct. 10, 1961 R. REBERNIGG CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING MECHANISM Filed Jan 6, 1960 FIG. I.

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United States Patento 3,004,143 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING MECHANISM Robert Rebernigg, 41-37 Frame Place, Flushing, N.Y. Filed Jan. 6, 1960, Ser. No. 771 3 Claims. (Cl. 240-10.68)

This invention relates to lighting mechanisms and more particularly, to a lighting mechanism which is completely free of wiring.

It is amongst the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a lighting mechanism particularly adapted for the illumination of Christmas trees and other decorative items which is completely devoid of external wiring.

It is another important object of the present invention to provide a lighting mechanism for the illumination of Christmas trees which eliminates a fire hazard by eliminating external wiring.

It is yet another object of the present invention to prvide a safe and attractive imitation candlefor a Christmas tree and other items requiring illumination.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lighting arrangement which is controlled by ambient temperature.

Briefly stated, the lighting mechanism of the present invention comprises an elongate casing having a first portion for retaining battery means therein and a second portion in alignment therewith housing a temperature responsive switch, said switch being freely exposed to the atmosphere, said battery portion being provided at one end with means for maintaining a light bulb in electrical connection with battery means to be inserted therein and at the other end with means for maintaining said temperature responsive switch in electrical connection with such battery means, said mechanism having means for conducting current from the bulb to a terminal in said second casing portion, said temperature responsive switch being adapted to make and break the electrical connection between said terminal and said battery means in accordance with variations in atmospheric temperature.

A fuller understanding of the invention and the manner in which its objectives and advantages may be realized will become apparent from the following detailed descrip tion thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a light in accordance with the present invention shown partially in section;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the rear portion of the casingof FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawing, an embodiment of a lighting mechanism in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 consisting of a cylindrical metallic casing having a lamp assembly 12 mounted at one end thereof.

A non-conductive partition 14 divides the casing into a larger chamber 16 wherein batteries 18 are housed and a smaller chamber 20 wherein a temperature responsive switching mechanism 22 is maintained. The casing extending around chamber 20 is provided with air vents 28 and additionally, is not closed off at the end thereof for reasons hereinafter appearing.

The embodiment of theinvention shown in FIG. 1 is particularly useful as a decorative light for a Christmas tree, as stated hereinabove, and hence casing 10 is provided with a spring clamp 24 by means of which the mechanism may be reliably afiixed to a support, such as the branch 26 of a Christmas tree, for example.

Lamp assemblage 12, in this particular embodiment of i the invention, consists of a conventional bulb 30 supported within outer casing 32. Casing 32 is of a colored plastic composition and shaped to simulate a candle flame for ice [2 decorative vetfect. A conductive skirt 34 in electrical contactwith bulb 30 extends downwardly from said bulb, for reasons hereinafter appearing. p t I The bulb supporting end of casing 10 is internally threaded at 36 to hold the externally threaded base of lamp assemblage 12 in threaded engagement therewith. A helical spring 37 is provided to urge battery means 18 against contact 38 so that electrical contact is maintained. A recess 40 in the base of lamp assemblage 12 serves as an abutment for spring 37.

Conductive strip 42 provides a conductive pathway from skirt 34 to a conventional push button switching mechanism 44. A contact adapted to coact with thermal switch 22 extends from the wall of chamber 20. This contact consists of a resilient member 46 maintained under tension by bending.

It may be seen that the free end of strip 46 extends between the last pair of spaced turns of thermal coil 22. The other end of strip 46 is firmly aflixed to support member 48. The strip is maintained under tension by set screw 7 50 which extends therethrough and which, in turn,'is threaded in a bore 51 in support member 48. Strip 46 is therefore continuously urged against thehead of the set screw and by manually turning the screw, the distance between contact 46 and the temperature responsive coil can be varied, for reasons hereinafter appearing.

Coi1'22 is supported by post 52 whichextends through the non-conductive partition which divides the casing into two chambers. The head of post 52 forms contact 38, previously described.

Thermal coil 22 is a bimetal which is adapted to expand with a decrease in ambient temperature and contract with an increase in ambient temperature, as is known.

It may be thus seen that lights in accordance with the present invention may be adjusted to turn on and oil depending upon the ambient temperature. Of course, this will be dependent upon the sensitivity of the bimetallic element utilized and the distance that contact 46 is spaced therefrom.

This latter variable is further controllable by reason of the thumb screw arrangement which may be calibrated on a temperature scale. If the coil possesses sufficient sensitivity, a flickering effect of sorts may be realized thus simulating the flickering of candles.

In any event, the lights may be set to operate in accordance with the central heating system of a home or apartment thereby eliminating the necessity of individually turning each light on and off. Such control may be had, however, by reason of the push button switching mechamsm.

Heretofore, centralized control of a plurality of lights required a system of external wiring which has proved a serious fire hazard and is otherwise undesirable.

Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to one preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, after reading this specification, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A temperature responsive lighting device comprising a light, an elongated casing having an insulating partition therein to provide a battery housing for said light and a switch housing, respectively, a post having a metallic contact resting on said partition, a thermal switch comprising a bi-metallic coiled spring located in said housing, said post extending into said latter housing and engaging said coiled spring, and a resilient contact extending between a pair of spaced turns of said thermal switch, said resilient contact being adjustable to vary the gap between it and said spaced turns.

' 3 2. The lighting device of claim 1 and an adjusting screw located on said switch housing adapted to vary the tension of said resilient contactand a second manually controlled switch for said light located on said battery housing.

3. The lighting device of claim 1 and a series of 5 parallel air vents in said switch housing adjacent to said coiled spring. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Mabon Aug. 24, 1926 Burgert Dec. 15, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Mar. 19, 1937 

